Wales scrum-half Dwayne Peel says he hopes to return to training in "a couple of weeks" after a scan revealed his groin injury is not as bad as first feared.

And Mike Phillips, Wales coach Warren Gatland's first-choice No 9, could be set to return from his foot injury next month.

The Sale number nine suffered the injury in Saturday’s Heineken Cup defeat against Cardiff Blues and he will miss Wales’ Six Nations opener against England at Twickenham on February 6.

There were fears the 72-times capped 28-year-old would be ruled out for the entire Six Nations but he could now potentially face Scotland in Cardiff a week after the Twickenham clash, although the Millennium Stadium meeting with France on February 26 may prove a more likely date for his return.

Peel said: "The specialist scanned the injury and it’s a groin strain. Hopefully I should be back in full training in a couple of weeks."

Ospreys coach Sean Holley hopes Phillips will return in their Magners League game with Connacht on February 21 and Gatland may call on the 27-year-old for Wales' game with France at the Millennium Stadium.

"Mike Phillips may return for possibly the third or fourth game," said Gatland.

"But he needs a few games under his belt as he has just started running."

Scarlets half-back Martin Roberts is thought to be the favourite to earn the starting berth against Martin Johnson’s side, although in-form Cardiff Blues man Richie Rees is likely to push him close.